Heresy

Again, I quote Wikipedia: Heresy, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is a “theological or religious opinion or doctrine maintained in opposition, or held to be contrary, to the Roman Catholic or Orthodox doctrine of the Christian Church, or, by extension, to that of any church, creed, or religious system, considered as orthodox. By extension, heresy is an opinion or doctrine in philosophy, politics, science, art, etc., at variance with those generally accepted as authoritative.” (bold mine).

By this definition, especially that last statement in bold, I am a heretic. Of course, this is based on what I perceive as mainstream. Perhaps there are more like me than I know. I hope I find them. Maybe I will as this blog progresses.

The first few or several entries here will just be laying ground work. I plan to write some posts about generalities, definitions, etc. Then I will ease myself into specific opinions on various issues. I admit to some nervousness. I know well the criticism a rebel receives. Sometimes heretics are persecuted. The pressure to conform is tremendous .

In this current atmosphere of polarization in the U.S., it is especially scary. We have some serious currents flowing here. I believe they are dangerous. For the first time in my 48 years, I am afraid to speak my opinions to the “wrong person”. For the first time, I fear loss of livelihood (my job) if I speak “heresy” at work. I fear loss of friends and family members who seem to adamantly accept what they are told. I feel the loss of my freedoms.

Perhaps many of those accepting what they are told are so adamant because on some level they perceive the danger of saying otherwise. They need to be adamant so as to keep themselves convinced. Few people want to be seen as the “trouble maker” in the best of times. These are not the best of times as far as I am concerned. To remain silent, however, is to acquiesce. That I cannot do.

Yet, I don’t see any immediate personal danger. I just feel it looming on the horizon. An old anecdote comes to mind. If you want to cook a live frog, you do not put it in a pot of boiling water. The frog, alarmed by the sudden heat will try to jump out, perhaps successfully. No, to be safe, you put it in a pot of lukewarm water. Then you bring the heat up degree by degree. By the time the frog notices how hot it is, it is too late, The frog is cooked.

Yes, I will elaborate in future blog posts. It is too big and complicated to me to cover everything in one blog post. For now, I will say that my fears are about what is happening in our government. Religion is being used as well I fear. I will also say for the record that I am deeply patriotic. I love this country, and the principles upon which it was founded. As part of those principles I hold dear, I respect each persons right to their choice of religion even when they choose none. I love the people of this country in all their diversity.

It occurs to me that we may be polarized because someone(s) want us that way. Divide and conquer is a classic strategy. As long as we remain in conflict, it makes it difficult to see what is going on around us.

I don’t fully understand it all, and I may never fully understand it. I hope to gain some clarity through this blog. I hope to help shed light for others as well.